.HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – Few players in the history of the NBA have held the distinction of being the standard bearer at their position the way Jason Kidd did during his 19-year career, which came to an end today with the announcement that veteran point guard was retiring.

He has been more than just a great player during his career. Kidd has been the prototype at point guard of his generation and arguably the greatest all-around athlete to play the position — name another point guard who graduated high school as a first team USA Today All-American in two sports (baseball).

Kidd didn’t get the chance to revolutionize the game as a “big” point guard. Magic Johnson took care of that while Kidd was still playing with toy cars. But he did continue the renaissance for the position, which is arguably the deepest its ever been right now with an assorted bunch of point guards who grew up with Kidd as the standard.

Everyone from Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo,Derrick Rose, and Deron Williams to the new breed of Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, John Wall and Mike Conley have grown up with Kidd as the ideal role model of who and what a true point guard is supposed to be.

A 10-time All-Star who led the NBA in assists five times during his career, Kidd finishes his career second all-time in assists and steals behind John Stockton, another point guard Kidd will join in the Hall of Fame one day. Kidd served as a bridge between the Magic, Isiah Thomas-Stockton era at the position and the current renaissance.

“I think it is the right time,” Kidd told ESPNNewYork.com. “When you think about 19 years, it has been a heckuva ride. Physically, I want to be able to participate in activities with my kids so it has taken a toll. It is time to move on and think about maybe coaching or doing some broadcasting.”

“Jeff [Schwartz] and I and my family had been talking this past weekend,” Kidd added of his agent. “We talked a lot and we felt it was the right time to move on and so we notified the Knicks. They were kind of taken aback. We told them [earlier] that I wanted to come back and play. But this weekend was when we got a chance to relax [and really think about it]. It is the right thing to do.”

Kidd won a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 and also two gold medals with the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team in Olympic competition (Sydney in 2000 and Beijing in 2008), as well as three other gold medals during international competition with USA Basketball.

Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment on Kidd’s resume is the back-to-back Eastern Conference titles and trips to The Finals (in 2002 and 2003) with the Nets, the first ever and only trips to that high ground for the franchise. Kidd elevated a franchise to a championship level and in my eyes never got the credit he deserved for doing so, at least not in the way that Steve Nash did while winning back-to-back MVPs in Phoenix for impacting that franchise in the same way.

Acknowledging his contribution, Nets GM Billy King released this statement: “Jason Kidd was the captain of the Nets during their most successful period in the NBA, and is considered the greatest player in the Nets’ NBA history. On behalf of the entire Brooklyn Nets organization, we congratulate him on his Hall of Fame career.”

Kidd was a first or second-team All-NBA pick 10 times in his career, five each, and will go down as not only one of the best NBA point guards of all time but one of the all-time greats in high school (Bay Area legend at St. Joe-Notre Dame), college (Cal, where his No. 5 is retired) and in the NBA (the Suns, Nets, Knicks and two stints with the Mavs).

A liability as a shooter early in his career, Kidd refined his stroke in his later years and reinvented himself as a clutch 3-point shooter, draining shot after big shot during the Mavericks’ title march in 2011.

An acknowledgement of Kidd’s greatness is in order. We’re saying goodbye to not only one of the great players of his generation, but one of the greatest players the NBA has seen in any generation.

I got to see kid in a game against the lakers about 4 or 5 years ago when Jefferson and Carter were his main running mates. I’ve never seen a player dominate the ball like he did, you don’t appreciate him when watching him on TV, he was so big and fast. Even with Kobe & Carter on the floor I couldn’t help but watch him. He was a true leader. Amazing how he retires the same week as Hill. I remember them both entering the league, I was 11! I turn 31 next month and I can’t barly run down the street without my knee swelling. how they played so long at such a high level is crazy! End of an Era!…. GO SPURS!!!! aussie aussie aussie!!!!

This is shocking! What’s a good game without Jason Kidd? I wasn’t originally a Kidd fan, but when you see what he brings to the court, you’d be hard-pressed to find a point guard as efficient as Jason Kidd. Instead of retiring, he should give it one more year in L.A.. He may get that rock.

JK really is one of greatest PG in NBA history and greatest universal guard like Oscar Robertson. His basketball IQ always was highest in all-time NBA. About Nash and Kidd – they are totally different players: Kidd can guard NBA best players, he collect 8725 rebounds (first in NBA), 2684 steals and 450 blocks; Nash always was thick guard – in 18-year career he collect only 3600 rebounds, 892 steals and 100 blocks. In my opinion, JK is member of POG’s Big Three – Stockton, Magic and Kidd. Thank you and good luck, great legend

Thanks for 19 great years, have been following Jason Kidd since he was a rookie and I was 12 years old down here in NZ! Will never forget the first game I saw him play on TV vs Phoenix where he and Tony Dumas had huge games to help the Mavs win an epic battle.
All the best to him for a happy life after playing.

BIG FAN MAN, EVER SINCE I COULD UNDERSTAND AND WATCH BASKETBALL. GOD BLESS YOU AND HOPE YOU GET SAVED BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. YOU ARE THE GREATEST POINT GUARD I EVER SEEN SINCE THE DAYS I CAN UNDERSTAND THE NBA. GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY (INCLUDING YOUR ORIGINAL WIFE, THE ONE YOU USE TO BLOW KISSES TO AT THE FREE THROW LINE.), AND YOUR HEALTH.

damn! and I mean damn! what an excellent player…if he was still in prime and going up against the point guards now, they’ll burn him! the only player I know who can sprint while dribbling, change direction, but doesn’t change speed. you’re gonna be miss. I grew up wanting to play like the way you play! what a role model!

NBA finals Lakers Vs Nets…
He played his heart out. As a Lakers fan I have high respect for him.
His statements were funny too during post game on live T.V statements about Shaq. Shaq dominated that series but Kid won my respect. During that finals I use to detest him but after finals I liked him and respected his hard work.

One of the best PG if not the best ever and SURELY, BETTER THAN NASH. He made an impact in every team he was with. a great person too. it’ll be weird to watch NBA without the KIDD. Muh respect to J KIDD.

Going to miss him he deserved more championships however with the Miami Cheat lurking about he never got the oppetunity.Hell the Miami Cheat have devil worshippers on their team also in Lebron James,Dwayne Wade,and Chris Bosh who probably sold their souls to win a few championships.

Absolutely one of the greatest point guards ever, and a huge reason for the Knicks success this year, especially in the first half of the season. I once personally met Jason Kid briefly back in 2003 and he shook my hand (don’t think he will remember me lol). I was in awe of his presence. A great role model and mentor which is why he should be a coach. Best wishes from a fan of yours since the beginning of your career.

i NEVER liked kidd as a player, he was too whiney and flopped too much. Also had a big mouth, but his talents were up there. Definitely would’t say he’s better than Parker or Paul but he got close. Overall: Decent Player

Kidd had a big mouth? Whiney? What were you watching? This guy is humble and brought success to every franchise he’s been to whether it was the Mavs, Suns, Nets, or Knicks. Also, if you’re going to complain about flopping then complain about every super star. I’m guessing you only watched him when he was past his prime….

Byran was compare kidd to Parker/paul? Ha! Obviously born after 2000 and never saw Kidd at his prime. If you ever saw Kidd at his first Mavs days and suns days(remember that 4 point guards and Danny anige at coach?)you will be amazed!

Jason one of the greatest players of all time, and my favorite player of all time. The ultimate teammate and great competitor who never cried or complained while playing. The NBA game will never quite be the same again,.

J Kidd was is and alwas will be one of the best of all times at his position. He is definitely the standard described in this article. I am a real fan of his and was really ruling for Dallas during the 2011 finals only for him. I was happy to see him win a title since he really deserved it. Thank you for all those years on the court J Kidd. Let’s hope we can see you coach a good team or at least here you on some broadcast. It would be good to see him on Open Court.

gonna miss the old man on the team this year, big contribution in the locker room and proof that hard work pays off, went from being called”Ason” Kikd (because he had no J) and ended up being 3rd all time in 3PT FGM. Much respect.

Steve Nash should be inspired, and follow suit.
If Nash will finish his contract with the Lakers it will mean a lot of humiliation of Nash by the youngsters.
There is absoulutely no need for Nash in the NBA at this point and he is in fact hindering young valuable points guards.

Steve Nash and Kidd are totally different players. Nash takes care of his body much better than Kidd does, He doesn’t drink and follows an excellent diet while Kidd is out getting DUI’s. Kidd had man boobs this season while Nash looked fit. I do think Nash should hang the gloves up soon but he has another year at least.

That’s Dutch… never expected to see that in a comment here… It says nothing though… just a redirection to another article. In The Netherlands basketball is as dead as Jason Kidd’s on court career is now.